Guide to Building your Nurses’ Box

ByAshley

You know how they say “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you”? Well, what if you took it a step further and got that hand nicely manicured and moisturized? That’s the theory behind putting together a small box for your labor and delivery nurses. No, it’s not totally necessary but it is very much appreciated and shows them how important they are to the process. This doesn’t have to be a super expensive or elaborate thing. Honestly, I probably went a little showier with mine than I had initially set out to do. I asked my OB how many nurses there would be (she said 3 plus her, though this will vary from hospital to hospital) but that was one shift at a time so it didn’t account for the multiple shifts that I would be there for during my 2 day stay.

Though all the nurses were amazing, the ones who did the real dirty (literally and figuratively) work were the ones present for the actual delivery. That is why they were the ones I presented the box to. They then proceeded to put it at the nurses’ station for all the other nurses to pick from at their leisure!

photo is ft. my kitty, Fifty!

1. Pens

*OB recommended and one that I got a lot of praise for!*

This is an item that, in any profession, is always coveted. Somehow they always seem to go missing or get swiped. When getting pens for your box, spend a couple bucks more (they’re cheap to begin with) and get nice ones. That’s right, not “BIC Roundstick Ballpoints” but “BIC Glides” – bonus points if you get a variety of colors!

 

2. Hair ties & claw clips

*Nurse recommended and verbally approved at my delivery!*

To be completely honest, part of my nesting journey included purging the bathroom items I had been hoarding since high school (Bath & Body Works lotion, hotel shampoos, and an impressive collection of hair accessories). The hair ties and clips I included in my box were *NEW* ones. Granted they were easily from 2017 but they were unused/unopened! (I feel most women can relate to the accumulation of these things)…Here are some highly rated options:

 

3. Gum

*All around recommended*

Not much to say on this one. It made you popular in middle school and it will make you popular on the birthing floor.

 

4. Chapstick

I included this one as someone who is constantly forgetting/misplacing mine. I didn’t get any direct thanks for this one but I feel like chapstick is like your parents in high school – you don’t necessarily care if they’re there but you notice when they’re gone!

 

5. Snacks

*Recommended specifically by an OB family member of mine are cookies, candy, and granola bars.*

This was one that I included but stressed HARDCORE about. Remember, because this is not an expectation that you bring this, most people will just be grateful to be thought of and not picky on you not knowing their specific preferences (if they are then you should just eat their snacks because they don’t deserve them!). Honestly, I just tried to stick to a general variety pack of chips/cookies because it increased the odds that there was something for everyone.

I’m pretty sure I got this exact pack or similar at Sam’s club!

Next time, I would probably try to find a variety pack of something a bit more filling but these seemed like a hit regardless!

 

6. Drink

*Highly requested among the medical professional friends/family I reached out to.*

Looking back at the notes I kept on my nesting journey (yes, even my organization was organized – don’t judge!) I didn’t actually include drinks in mine. Part of it was because I was SO anxious about what to include. Do I get coffee? What if they don’t like coffee? But it should have caffeine, right? Energy drinks are so hit or miss. Just Gatorade? I don’t drink Gatorade so what are the most popular flavors again? Should they be full-size or small ones? Maybe I’ll just do gift cards. But what if other nurses take them before MY nurses see them? I could tell them they’re there. Does that seem like I’m being a try-hard?

UGH

You can see why I ultimately just skipped them. However, as mentioned with the snacks, unexpected = not picky and you’re never going to appease everyone (without knowing orders ahead of time or spending an arm and a leg to get every possible option). Looking back (and planning for next time) I will likely go with something like these:

I should also note that, if your husband is anything like mine and consistently wants to drink anything flavored, you kill 2 birds with 1 stone by taking an assortment out of what you already buy anyway. PLUS, if you plan to breastfeed, Body Armors help with milk production so it’s more like 3 birds with 1 stone! And, actually, what I do, is take the flavor(s) I don’t like and just use those that way I can get the price break of buying in bulk and don’t have to choke down flavors I am not a fan of! Can you say, “Life Hack”?!

 

7. Lotion

Hand sanitizer kills the hands and bottles of this are an easy way to keep giving. Buy one or two big bottles and they can be kept at the nurses’ station for easy access and use for a good month (if you get the big bottles)!

 

8. Nail Care

This is again one that I found when purging my bathroom items! An unopened set with a file, clippers, cuticle pusher, and scrub brush is a more detailed addition than snacks and drinks.

 

Other suggestions that came from nurse friends of mine I asked were candles, socks, or wine glasses. Surprisingly enough, this came from a male nurse which I found interesting that he would think of these items but that does not make them any less valid! Who doesn’t love cozy socks and a seasonally scented candle!?

A hack is to utilize Sam’s Club or Costco if you have them! Then you can buy whatever you would normally get for your own household and just set a couple aside for the box! (I say that as someone who has a membership with only two adults in the house and a pack rat mentality, haha!).

Another important note is that you don’t have to supply enough of everything for everyone! You can do what I did and ask your OB ahead of time about how many people are usually on your care team for delivery, or just get small amounts of everything and let people figure it out themselves – while this is not necessary, it shouldn’t be added stress for you. Do it if you want or just vocalize your appreciation for their support and dedication to you and baby!

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